Evergreen Group began with the establishment of Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) by Dr. Yung-Fa Chang on 1 September 1968. From humble beginnings operating just one secondhand general cargo vessel, Evergreen has grown throughout its history to gain many outstanding achievements. It is now one of the leading international shipping companies in terms of its fleet operations, service quality and innovative shipbuilding concepts.

Responding to the then current trends in liner shipping, Evergreen launched its first full container service in 1975, connecting the Far East and the US East Coast. This service was implemented successfully in spite of the negative effects an oil crisis on the world economy and in turn the shipping industry that occurred at the time.